Stroker kits are aftermarket automotive
assemblies that increase engine displacement by lengthening piston travel.
Along with a stroker crankshaft that lets pistons travel farther in engine
cylinders, they include connecting rods, bearings, and piston rings. To
increase displacement in stroker motors, the crankshaft moves the crank pin further
away from the center of the axis of rotation. If the deck is flat and the
cylinder bores sound, an engine builder can install a rotator kit over a
weekend.
Auto
Parts and Engine Tools
Armed with an Eagle 347 rotator kit, Douglas R. Glad of Car Craft
sought to do just that. The rebuilt 302 engine that he removed from a 1973 Ford
Ranchero ran well, but deserved more power. After comparing several stroker
kits, Glad chose one that provided "more usable torque" and came with rotator
assembly components such as hypereutetic pistons. In selecting the right tools
for the job, the Car Craft mechanic chose a flexible hone.
Cylinder
Deglazing and Flexible Honing
After removing the stock rotator and
pulling the pistons, Glad scrubbed the engine and readied the stroker
crankshaft. Next, he installed forged pistons and rods. Noting that the cylinder
bore was in "good condition", the tuner used a "dingle ball hone" for cylinder deglazing. Although we discourage other names
(such as ball hone) for the flexible hone, we understand that some users call the
abrasive globules at the end of the tool's flexible nylons filaments "dingle
balls" or "dingle berries".
Plateau
Finishing for Piston Ring Seating and Proper Lubrication
Using
what he described as a "pumping motion", the engine mechanic then "spun the flexible
hone with a light honing oil until the bore had a crosshatch pattern." We're
not sure if Douglas used flex-hone oil
with its proprietary blend of honing and lapping oils, but the cross-hatch
pattern that he achieved is ideal for oil retention. As the mechanic himself
noted, this crosshatch pattern or plateau
finish in the cylinder bore also "helped seat the new piston
rings".
This article originally appeared in the Flex-Hone Blog.
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